Dornbracht Designs Horizontal Shower System, But Is It Worth It?

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Photo courtesy of Dornbracht

Bathroom and kitchen hardware manufacturer Dornbracht brings showering to new levels. Literally. The German luxury brand known for its state-of-the-art designs and functions has created a Horizontal Shower unit where users lie on a slab while streams of water wash over their body.

The effect, said CEO Andreas Dornbracht, "is total relaxation of the kind that is only possible to someone reclining. Tension in the head and muscles melt away, everyday stress is rinsed away with the water, body and mind are noticeably revitalized."

That sounds all well and good, but the general reception of the manufacturer's showering concept has been less than favorable. The concept has already been criticized as "baffling" and for causing a "beached seal" effect, and we, also, have concerns. Right off the bat, this shower system is obviously geared toward the 1 percent, who could afford such lavish full-bathroom renovations (and presumably can't be bothered with the hassle of standing while showering). And, even if we were able to dole out the funds to take this rather expensive shower, who's going to clean up afterward? Water will get everywhere, even with a central draining system. The spa-like aesthetic is just not worth the hassle.

In the end, we can't fault Dornbracht for trying to push boundaries and using a luxury angle as its selling point. But we say: If you want the relaxation only possible when reclining, take a bath...

Would you buy a horizontal shower? Tell us why or why not.

 
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10:09 PM on 02/19/2012
A stupid waste of water.
09:26 PM on 02/19/2012
Spare us the "1%" BS. We don't need Socialist commentary in a news article.
04:15 PM on 02/19/2012
When does someone invent the human car wash?
11:40 PM on 02/18/2012
reminds me a little too much of my time in Gitmo... . leave it to the germans...
12:43 PM on 02/18/2012
After lying in a horizontial position for (blank) minutes with water splashing (SPLASER?) over your body you are either going to stand or sat up to wash your body parts. What's to be gained? Maybe rename ideal to "Splasher", the start of a shower or bath..
06:24 PM on 02/17/2012
Looks fabulous to me. Lying down and getting yourself cleaned at the same time. Talk about multi-tasking.
02:57 PM on 02/17/2012
Instead of just passing out in the shower, as one normally does after every December 31st, trying consciously lowering yourself into a seated position, thence into as much recumbency as your space will permit. Let your mind become ever clearer as the soothing waters flow and you marvel over the fact that people will pay good money for just about anything.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
AfroGoddess
Dirty grrl in a dirty world.
02:55 PM on 02/17/2012
The only problem with this is that I'd never get to work because I'd be sleeping in the shower!

I don't really get why this shower is receiving a bad review. Albeit the space would be tight, but that shower could fit in place of a tub.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Montanagrl
02:45 PM on 02/17/2012
It's not a question of WOULD I use it...but HOW do I use it? Is this shower designed mainly for hydrotherapy? I mean, how do you wash your hair? I supposed you could sit up, under one of the jets, but the preassure would give me a headache.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
geojus1
02:41 PM on 02/17/2012
does she come with the purchase? :P
Not That Far Left
My default font is Sarcasmo 12 pt.
02:41 PM on 02/17/2012
Couldn't I just retrofit a car wash? Move the brushes closer together, softer rags on the washers, maybe some spinning loofas... I'm sure there are some women who might still opt for the hot wax. Stand in the guide track, press the start button, raise your arms and grab the adjustable top bar, and roll right through- come out all squeaky clean with a pot of coffee waiting.

Wait... didn't I see that on the Jetsons?
02:54 PM on 02/17/2012
LOL it might just work. Some body lotion instead of vax, some massage incorporated in the lying table, a drier and you've got a new height of perfection............................................
02:41 PM on 02/17/2012
Umm, it can be quite affordable actually provided one's got the land the build a brand new bath house. It's pretty much a Jacuzzi with fewer and apparently less mobile nozzles. However if one talks relaxation then where's the head support? Where's the ergonomics, the SOFT and WARM touch for the reclining body not directly exposed to water? It might be more practical and futuristic to have a full mobile jacuzzi unit mounted upside down (with some muzzles for the feet as well: women know why) and a bottom collecting water unit made of self-cleaning material (glass or teflon-coated)...
02:31 PM on 02/17/2012
The best shower I ever had was at a friend's mansion on the Hudson.. It was one of those ribbed showers, with 8 horizontal tubes that wrap around you, 270º. And it had a big 'water can' shower head. You got big drops from above, a needle-y blast from the sides. Both had their own controls for pressure and temp. Ahhhh!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Montanagrl
02:46 PM on 02/17/2012
Friends with mansions is always a good thing.
02:26 PM on 02/17/2012
If someone's dumb enough to buy it...
02:22 PM on 02/17/2012
I'm more likely to buy this shower than I am to dismiss it based simply on this lame product review.
Great job, HuffPost! Have you even tested it?

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